Smart lighting system

ABSTRACT

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to illuminate a room is described. At least one person entering the room may be identified. The room may be illuminated based at least in part on the identifying. An occupancy count for the room may be maintained based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room. The room may be darkened based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in media delivery systems and media-related technologiescontinue to increase at a rapid pace. Increasing demand for media hasinfluenced the advances made to media-related technologies. Computersystems have increasingly become an integral part of the media-relatedtechnologies. Computer systems may be used to carry out severalmedia-related functions. The wide-spread access to media has beenaccelerated by the increased use of computer networks, including theInternet and cloud networking.

Many homes and businesses use one or more computer networks to generate,deliver, and receive data and information between the various computersconnected to computer networks. Users of computer technologies continueto demand increased access to information and an increase in theefficiency of these technologies. Improving the efficiency of computertechnologies is desirable to those who use and rely on computers.

With the wide-spread use of computers and mobile devices has come anincreased presence of home automation and security products. Homeautomation and security products can help manage busy lives by managingillumination in a building.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method toilluminate a room is disclosed. At least one person entering the roommay be identified. The room may be illuminated based at least in part onthe identifying. An occupancy count for the room may be maintained basedat least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy countcomprises a number of one or more people present in the room. The roommay be darkened based at least in part on the occupancy count for theroom reaching a pre-determined count.

Darkening the room may comprise dimming an illumination in the room. Theroom may comprise an at least partially confined room. In someembodiments, the room may be partially illuminated based at least inpart on a time of day. In some instances, the room is a bedroom and itmay be observed when at least one person occupies the bed. The bedroommay be darkened based at least in part on the observing. A load sensormay detect the presence of the at least one person occupying the bed.

In some embodiments, one or more lasers may detect directional motion ofthe at least one person. The one or more lasers may be proximate to atleast one entry to the room. In some instances, the one or more lasersmay be proximate each entry to the room.

In some embodiments, input may be received to darken the room despitethe occupancy count being greater than the pre-determined count. In someinstances, a pattern of room occupancy may be tracked. When toilluminate the room may be predicted based at least in part on thetracking. The room may be illuminated based at least in part on thepredicting. In some instances, the room may be darkened if at least oneperson does not enter the room within a predetermined time period.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus to illuminate a room isalso described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory inelectronic communication with the processor and instructions stored onthe memory of the processor. The processor may execute the instructionsto identify at least one person entering the room and illuminate theroom based at least in part on the identifying. The processor mayexecute instructions to maintain an occupancy count for the room basedat least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy countcomprises a number of one or more people present in the room. Theprocessor may execute instructions to darken the room based at least inpart on the occupancy count reaching a pre-determined count.

According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readablemedium that may store instructions executable by a processor is alsodescribed. The instructions may identify at least one person enteringthe room and illuminate the room based at least in part on theidentifying. The instructions may maintain an occupancy count for theroom based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancycount comprises a number of one or more people present in the room. Theinstructions may darken the room based at least in part on the occupancycount reaching a pre-determined count.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conceptionand specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features whichare believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, bothas to their organization and method of operation, together withassociated advantages will be better understood from the followingdescription when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodimentsmay be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appendedfigures, similar components or features may have the same referencelabel. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguishedby following the reference label by a dash and a second label thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment in which the present systemsand methods may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another environment in which the presentsystems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example lighting module of theenvironments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forcontrolling illumination in a room;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method forcontrolling illumination in a room

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingthe present systems and methods of FIGS. 1-4.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein relate to controllingillumination in a room. More specifically, the systems and methodsdescribed herein relate to controlling illumination of a room based atleast in part on the presence of people within the room. Some methodsrely upon detecting motion within the room to determine the presence ofa person and maintain illumination within a room. While these systemshave advantages, if the person remains still for a predetermined periodof time, the lights may turn off while the room is still occupied. Themotion detector may be inadvertently triggered as well. For example, apet may set off the lights, wind blowing a curtain may be detected andcause the lights to be turned on.

In some embodiments, a system may smartly detect motion to accuratelyilluminate or darken a room. A room may comprise an enclosed room withdoors, an enclosed room with entryways, partially enclosed rooms,portions of a room and the like. In some instances, a smart motiondetection system may be proximate to at least one entry to a room. Thesmart motion detection system may detect when at least one person entersor exits a room. By detecting the directional movement of the personentering or exiting the room, the smart motion detection system maymanage or maintain a number of people in a room at any point. When atleast one person is within the confines of a room, the smart motiondetection system may, at least partially, illuminate the room.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an environment100 in which the present systems and methods may be implemented. In someembodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be performedat least in part on or using an automation system 105. The environment100 may include the automation system 105, a lighting module 110, and auser interface 115.

The lighting module 110 may smartly illuminate and darken a room. Forexample, the lighting module 110 may detect when at least one personenters or exits a room. The lighting module 110 may track a totaloccupancy count for a room and maintain illumination within a room aslong as the total occupancy count satisfies a threshold. For example,illumination may be maintained when the total occupancy count is above apre-determined count. In some instances, the pre-determined count may bezero. In some embodiments, the lighting module 110 may fully light theroom, light parts of the room, or partially illuminate the room based atleast in part on several factors. The factors may comprise a time ofday, a pre-programmed setting, settings of other systems in theautomation system, or the like. In some embodiments, the programming ofthe lighting module 110 may be overridden. For example, a user may wishfor the room to be dark. The user may be having a candlelight dinner,watching a movie, or the like.

The user interface 115 may allow a user and/or administrator to interactwith the automation system 105. A user may comprise any person withaccess to the automation and security system, such as an administrator,a family member, an employee, and the like. The user may have varyinglevels of access and control over the automation and security system.The user interface 115 may facilitate communication between the user andthe automation system 105. For example, in some embodiments, theautomation system 105 may include a security system.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, an environment 200 mayinclude the components of the environment 100 described above, and mayfurther include a network 205, a service station 210, and a database215. Additionally, the environment 200 may include an automation system105-a, which may be one example of the automation system 105 describedabove with reference to FIG. 1. The automation system 105-a mayadditionally include a display 220, an automation controller 225, asensor 230, a mobile computing device 235, a personal computing device240, an application 245, and a security module 250. The automationsystem 105-a may include various components and functionality that workcooperatively with the lighting module 110 and the user interface 115,and/or may operate independently of the lighting module 110 and the userinterface 115.

The sensor 230 shown in FIG. 2 may represent one or more separatesensors or a combination of two or more sensors in a single sensordevice. For example, the sensor 230 may represent one or more camerasensors and one or more motion sensors connected to the environment 200.The motion sensor may comprise a smart motion sensor. For example, themotion sensor may comprise one or more lasers capable of detectingdirectional motion. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor 230 mayrepresent a combination sensor such as both a camera sensor and a motionsensor integrated in the same sensor device. Although the sensor 230 isdepicted as connecting directly to the automation system 105-a, in someembodiments, the sensor 230 may connect to the automation system 105-aover network 205. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor 230 may beintegrated with a home appliance or fixture such as a light bulbfixture. The sensor 230 may include an accelerometer to enable thesensor 230 to detect a movement. The sensor 230 may include a wirelesscommunication device enabling the sensor 230 to send and receive dataand/or information to and from one or more devices in the environment200. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor 230 may include a GPSsensor to enable tracking a location of the sensor 230. The sensor 230may include a proximity sensor to enable the sensor 230 to detect aproximity of a person relative to a predetermined distance from adwelling (e.g., geo-fencing). The sensor 230 may include one or moresecurity detection sensors such as, for example, a glass break sensor, amotion detection sensor, or both. Additionally, or alternatively, thesensor 230 may include a smoke detection sensor, a carbon monoxidesensor, or both. The sensor 230 may include one or more olfactorysensors. In some instances, the sensor 230 may include one or more loadsensors which may detect a load or weight applied to the sensor.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 235 may include one ormore processors, one or more memory devices, and/or a storage device.Examples of the mobile computing device 235 may include mobile phones,smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wearablecomputers, ultra-mobile PCs, etc. Although the mobile computing device235 is depicted as connecting directly to the automation system 105-a,in some embodiments, the mobile computing device 235 may connect to theautomation system 105-a over the network 205. Additionally, the mobilecomputing device 235 may represent a single mobile computing device ormultiple mobile computing devices that may access the automation system105-a.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device 240 may include oneor more processors, one or more memory devices, and/or a storage device.Examples of the personal computing device 240 may include a viewingdevice associated with a media content set top box, satellite set topbox, cable set top box, DVRs, personal video recorders (PVRs), mobilecomputing devices, computers, servers, etc. Although the personalcomputing device 240 is depicted as connecting directly to theautomation system 105-a, in some embodiments, the personal computingdevice 240 may connect to the automation system 105-a over the network205. Additionally, the personal computing device 240 may represent asingle mobile computing device or multiple mobile computing devices thatmay access the automation system 105-a.

In some embodiments, a user may access the functions of automationsystem 105-a from either the mobile computing device 235 or the personalcomputing device 240. For example, in some embodiments, the user mayhave a user profile associated with the automation system 105-a and mayaccess the system via the mobile computing device 235 or the personalcomputing device 240. In further embodiments, the user may have beengranted limited accessibility to the automation system 105-a withoutgenerating a user profile. The user may access the automation system105-a using their personal computing device 240 and/or mobile computingdevice 235 without a user profile associated with the automation system105-a. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 235 and/or thepersonal computing device 240 may include a mobile applicationinterfacing with one or more functions of the automation system 105-a,and the service station 210.

Examples of the automation controller 225 may include a dedicatedautomation computing device. Examples of a dedicated computing devicemay include a wall-mounted controller, a remote control, a voiceactivated controller, and the like. In some embodiments, the automationcontroller 225 may control aspects of a property as well as receive anddisplay notifications regarding monitored activity of a property.

In some embodiments, the application 245 may allow a user to control(either directly or via automation controller 225) an aspect of themonitored property based on the user accessibility permissions,including security, energy management, locking or unlocking a door,checking the status of a door, locating a person or item, controllinglighting, thermostat, cameras, receiving notification regarding acurrent status or anomaly associated with a home, office, place ofbusiness, and the like. In some configurations, the application 245 mayenable the automation system 105-a to interface with the automationcontroller 225 and enable the user interface 115 to display automation,security, and/or user management content on the display 220, the mobilecomputing device 235 and/or the personal computing device 240. Further,the application 245 may be installed on the mobile computing device 235and/or on the personal computing device 240 to allow a user to interfacewith the automation system 105-a and the service station 210.

In some embodiments, the automation system 105-a may communicate withthe service station 210 via the network 205. Examples of the network 205include cloud networks, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks(WAN), virtual private networks (VPN), wireless networks (using 802.11,for example), and/or cellular networks (using 3G and/or LTE, forexample), etc. The network 205 may be a single network, or may includemultiple interconnected, overlapping, or coincidental networks. Forexample, in some embodiments, the network 205 may include multiplenetworks interconnected to facilitate communication or may includeredundant networks. For example, the network 205 may represent a firstnetwork (e.g., the Internet) and a second network (e.g., cellularnetworks).

The service station 210 shown in FIG. 2 may represent one or moreseparate service stations or a combination service stations. The servicestation 210 may be a network operations center, a monitoring center, aservice station or any similar station in association with theautomation system service provider.

In some embodiments, the service station 210 may be coupled to thedatabase 215. The database 215 may include, for example, differentillumination tracking for each automation system 105-a monitored by theservice station 210. For example, the database 215 may include aschedule module 255 which may store and periodically update tracking ofroom illumination. The data collected in the schedule module 255 mayhelp predict a pattern of room illumination for an automation system105-a. The predictable pattern may cause the lighting module 110 toilluminate a room before a user enters the room. The database 215 mayinclude other information including, for example, historical informationabout the automation system 105-a and other aspects of environment 200,and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 illustrating one example of a lightingmodule 110-a. The lighting module 110-a may be one example of thelighting module 110 depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2. As depicted, thelighting module 110-a may include a tracking module 305, an illuminationmodule 310, an anticipation module 315, a program module 320, anoverride module 325, and a safety module 330. The lighting module 110-amay include additional modules and capabilities in other embodiments.Similarly, the lighting module 110-a may include fewer number of modulesand functionality than that which is described with reference to FIG. 3.The lighting module 110-a may illuminate and/or darken a room.

In some embodiments, the tracking module 305 may track the movement ofpeople and may maintain an occupancy count for a room. For example, atleast one sensor may be proximate at least one entry way to a room. Insome instances, a room may have multiple entryways and a sensor may beproximate each entry way. In some embodiments, the room may be an areaof a larger room. The sensors may essentially create a perimeter aroundthe desired area of a room and may trigger possible illumination and ordarkening in the apportioned area of the room.

The sensor may be a laser sensor and, in some embodiments, the laser maydetect a directional movement. For example, the tracking module 305 mayuse the sensor to determine if a person is entering or exiting a room.The tracking module 305 may keep track of each person entering orexiting a room and maintain a room occupancy count. The room occupancycount may be any number zero or greater. Each time a person enters theroom, the room occupancy count may increase by one, and each time aperson leaves the room, the room occupancy count may decrease by one.

The illumination module 310 may illuminate a room based at least in parton information from the tracking module 305. For example, if the roomoccupancy value is greater than zero, the illumination module 310 mayilluminate a room. Illuminating a room may consist of turning on one ormore lights. The lights may comprise overhead lighting, flooringlighting, desktop lights, or the like. The illumination module 310 maylight all the lights within a room or may only illuminate a few.Additionally, the illumination module 310 may not illuminate the lightsat full capacity. For example, the illumination module 310 may dim thelighting in a room.

The number of lights lit and the strength of the illumination may dependat least in part on one or more illumination factors. The illuminationfactors may comprise a time of day, number of people, size of room,activity in the room, and the like. For example, if a person enters aroom late at night after the house has been set to sleep mode, theillumination module 310 may barely illuminate a room so as to not todistress the user's eyes. The user may be getting ready in the morning,or may be getting a midnight snack or drink. If the user is gettingready in the morning, the illumination module 310 may gradually increasethe illumination in the room. The illumination module 310 may increasethe number of lights lit or may increase the illumination capacity ofthe lights. Additionally, as a user prepares for bed, the illuminationmodule 310 may gradually dim the lights to prepare the user for bed.Dimming the lights may aid the user in entering a more relaxed state.

The illumination module 310 may also darken a room. For example, if aroom occupancy count is at least one and lighting is illuminated, theillumination module 310 may darken the room upon the room occupancycount reaching a pre-determined count. Darkening the room may compriseturning off all lighting in the room, turning off some lighting in aroom, or dimming the lighting in a room to a lower brightness.

The illumination module 310 may darken a room based at least in part onseveral darkening factors. The darkening factors may comprise a time ofday, room occupancy count, activity, and the like. For example, if roomoccupancy count is at least one but the television is turned on, theillumination module 310 may darken the room, dim the lighting, or shutoff the lights to achieve an optimal illumination level for increaseviewing pleasure. Additionally, if a user has turned on a fireplace, theillumination module 310 may darken or adjust the lighting for optimalfireplace pleasure. In other embodiments, a user may be cooking and/orpreparing dinner and may be traversing frequently between the kitchenand a dining room. The user may be the only person in each room at thetime but turning the lights on and off as the user goes between the tworooms may become frustrating and/or distracting. Therefore, theillumination module 310 may detect the time and activity in the kitchenand dining room and implement a motion time out for darkening a room.For example, the illumination module 310 may switch the darkening factorfrom a room occupancy to a predetermined time period of the roomoccupancy reaching a pre-determined count. For example, the illuminationmodule 310 may not darken the kitchen until approximately five minutesafter the room occupancy has reached the pre-determined count. This mayprevent the kitchen lights from turning off prematurely and botheringthe user.

The anticipation module 315 may anticipate and preemptively turn lightson in a room. For example, the anticipation module 315 may record theillumination timing and length for each room. The anticipation module315 may predict a pattern for the user and attempt to preemptivelyschedule when to turn lights on. For example, a user may enter a kitchenof a home at approximately 7 AM every morning to make breakfast andprepare for the day. The anticipation module 315 may track this behaviorand prior to 7 AM. Additionally, if a store opens at a certain time inthe morning, the anticipation module 315 may turn the lights on prior tothe user's arrival. If the user does not enter the room within apredetermined time frame after the room has been illuminated, then theillumination module 310 may darken the room.

The program module 320 may be programmed in combination with theillumination module 310 to illuminate and darken a room upon a user'sschedule. The user may require a schedule for multiple reasons. Forexample, the user may be traveling and out of town for an extendedperiod of time. The user may wish for the house to appear occupieddespite an absence. Therefore, the user may program lights in differentrooms to illuminate and have the appearance of a person being in thehome. In another embodiment, the user may set the program module 320simply to away. The program module 320 may then work in conjunction withthe anticipation module 315 and program different lights within the hometo illuminate based upon the user's typical activities. This mayreinforce the appearance of the user being present in the home. Inanother embodiment, the user may set program different rooms toilluminate or darken upon their requested schedule. For example, theuser may wish for all internal lights to darken at a predetermined timeand for various nightlights throughout a home to illuminate at apredetermined time.

Additionally, in a business setting, the lighting may be programmed inthe different rooms according to business needs. For example, thelighting may be programmed to illuminate and darken upon business hoursor employee working hours. If the business is a greenhouse, lighting inthe greenhouse room may be scheduled to turn on and off at predeterminedtime for optimum growing.

The override module 325 may allow other modules to be overridden. Forexample, the override module 325 may receive input independent from theother modules to either illuminate or darken a room. The override module325 may receive tactile input in terms of a user providing manual inputto a switch to either illuminate or darken a room. In other instances, auser may remotely control the illumination with a control panel as partof the automation system. The control panel may be a mounted controlpanel within the automation system or may be a remote control panel suchas a user's mobile phone. A user may wish to override programming forseveral reasons. In some embodiments, the override module 325 mayrespond to alternative sensors. For example, in a bedroom, a bed maycomprise one or more load sensors. If the load sensors sense a load, theoverride module 325 may darken the room based on the user's presence inthe bed.

A safety module 330 may illuminate or darken a room for various safetyconcerns. For example, the safety module 330 may receive an anomalyalert within the automation system. The anomaly alert may be anunauthorized entry or other unauthorized motion associated with ahousehold, business, or other location. The safety module 330 mayilluminate one or more rooms in an attempt to thwart unauthorized entry,alert a user of the unauthorized entry, or illuminate a room where anunauthorized entry or motion occurred. For example, if an automationsystem detects an attempt or actual unauthorized entry, the safetymodule 330 may begin illuminating portions of the house in an attempt toscare or alert the anticipated intruder. For example, if an intruder isattempting an unauthorized entry in one room, the safety module 330 mayilluminate the adjacent room in an attempt to thwart the intruder'smotives to enter the home or business location. Illuminating theadjacent room may cause the intruder or attempted intruder to believe aperson is about to enter their location and cause the intruder toabandon their attempts at trespassing and perhaps burglary or otherrelated crime.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 400 forilluminating a room. In some configurations, the method 400 may beimplemented in whole or in part by the lighting module 110 of theautomation system 105 shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2. In further embodiments,the method 400 may be performed generally by the automation system 105shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, or even more generally by the environments100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

At block 405, at least one person entering a room may be identified. Forexample, an entry to a room may be equipped with one or more sensors.The entry to the room may comprise a door, passageway, or the like. Thesensors may comprise motion sensors. The motion sensors may detectdirectional motion. Therefore, the directional motion sensors maydetermine when a person passing through an entry way is entering orexiting a room. In some embodiments, multiple people may enter or exit aroom. The sensor may differentiate between the different people and maydiscern a number of people entering or exiting the room.

In further embodiments, the room may not be an enclosed space but may bea portion of a larger room. The sensors may form a type of perimeteraround the portioned space to determine when at least one person entersthe portioned space.

At block 410, the room may be illuminated based at least in part on theidentifying. For example, when a room occupancy is greater than apredetermined number, the lights in the room may illuminate.Illuminating the lights may comprise illuminating all lights within aroom, a select number of lights, illuminating the lights at a diminishedcapacity, and the like. The lights may continue to be illuminated aslong as the occupancy count for the room is greater than thepredetermined count. In some embodiments, the predetermined count may beequivalent to zero.

At block 415, an occupancy count for the room may be maintained based atleast in part on the illuminating. The occupancy count may comprise anumber of one or more people. The occupancy count may change throughoutan occupancy of the room but the occupancy count may maintain the countas it changes. For example, as people enter or exit the room, theoccupancy count will fluctuate up or down until eventually it reachesthe predetermined count, or zero as all occupants exit the room.

At block 420, the room may darken upon the occupancy count for the roomreaching a predetermined count. For example, as the occupancy countfluctuates with room occupancy, eventually the room occupancy count mayreach a predetermined count wherein the room is programmed to darken. Insome embodiments, the predetermined count may be equivalent to zero.When the room occupancy count reaches the predetermined count, or theroom is empty, the room may darken. Darkening the room may compriseshutting off all lighting to the room, shutting select lights within aroom, reducing the illumination capacity (dimming) the lights in theroom, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 500 forilluminating a room. In some configurations, the method 500 may beimplemented in whole or in part by the lighting module 110 of theautomation system 105 shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2. In further embodiments,the method 500 may be performed generally by the automation system 105shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, or even more generally by the environments100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2.

At block 505, a pattern of room occupancy may be tracked. For example,the approximate time a user typically enters or exits a room may betracked. The approximate length of time a user occupies a room may betracked. Additionally, when a user sets the lights to off mayadditionally be tracked and recorded. The pattern of usage may compriseilluminating a bedroom in the morning, or maintaining illumination inthe kitchen and/or dining room. Each day of the week may comprisedifferent usage patterns. For example, a user and/or users may observedifferent habits based at least in part on the day of the week. A Mondayschedule may differ from a Tuesday schedule and the like.

The pattern of illumination throughout a commercial building may also betracked and recorded. For example, when a person typically arrives toopen a storefront may be tracked and recorded. The approximate time andlength of time a break room, or storage room is utilized mayadditionally be tracked and recorded.

At block 510, when to illuminate a room may be predicted based at leastin part on the tracking. For example, a pattern of room usage and/orillumination may occur. A user may rise in the morning and turn onlights at approximately the same time every day. The user may watchtelevision or a movie at approximately the same time every day. A usermay open a business at approximately the same time every day. Anypattern of room and/or illumination may be predicted. For example, acumulative amount of data may reveal specific user behavioral patterns.

At block 515, the room may be illuminated based at least in part on thepredicting. For example, the predictions may anticipate a user's typicalbehavioral patterns and room usage. At block 515, using thosepredictions, a room may be illuminated. However, at block 520, the roommay be darkened if at least one user does not enter the room within apredetermined time frame. For example, a kitchen may be illuminated at5:30 AM on a Monday. If a user does not enter the kitchen by 5:45 AM,the room may be darkened. In some embodiments, if the method 500 islinked to an automation system, the automation system may predictmovement. For example, the automation system may detect that a user of ahome automation system was up later than usual the night before. Inthose instance, the room illumination may be turned off for thefollowing morning to adapt to the user's atypical activity.Additionally, the automation system may be linked to a user's calendarand may alter the pattern of illumination based at least in part on anevent on the user's calendar. For example, if a user is typically athome on a Friday evening and utilizes the living room at approximately 7pm, the automation system may not illuminate the living room if theuser's calendar lists an event elsewhere. Similarly, a business may havea calendar event such as a holiday or special hours listed. Theautomation system may automatically adjust its illumination patternbased at least in part on the calendar events.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a controller 600 suitable forimplementing the present systems and methods. In one configuration, thecontroller 600 may include a bus 605 which interconnects majorsubsystems of controller 600, such as a central processor 610, a systemmemory 615 (typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, orthe like), an input/output controller 620, an external audio device,such as a speaker system 625 via an audio output interface 630, anexternal device, such as a display screen 635 via display adapter 640,an input device 645 (e.g., remote control device interfaced with aninput controller 650), multiple USB devices 665 (interfaced with a USBcontroller 670), and a storage interface 680. Also included are at leastone sensor 655 connected to bus 605 through a sensor controller 660 anda network interface 685 (coupled directly to bus 605).

Bus 605 allows data communication between central processor 610 andsystem memory 615, which may include read-only memory (ROM) or flashmemory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), aspreviously noted. The RAM is generally the main memory into which theoperating system and application programs are loaded. The ROM or flashmemory can include, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system(BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interactionwith peripheral components or devices. For example, a lighting module110-b to implement the present systems and methods may be stored withinthe system memory 615. The lighting module 110-b may be an example ofthe lighting module 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 3.Applications (e.g., application 245) resident with controller 600 aregenerally stored on and accessed via a non-transitory computer readablemedium, such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk drive 675) or otherstorage medium. Additionally, applications can be in the form ofelectronic signals modulated in accordance with the application and datacommunication technology when accessed via the network interface 685.

Storage interface 680, as with the other storage interfaces ofcontroller 600, can connect to a standard computer readable medium forstorage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk drive 675.The fixed disk drive 675 may be a part of controller 600 or may beseparate and accessed through other interface systems. Network interface685 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a directnetwork link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Networkinterface 685 may provide such connection using wireless techniques,including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital PacketData (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection, or the like.In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., motion sensor, smokesensor, glass break sensor, door sensor, window sensor, carbon monoxidesensor, and the like) connect to controller 600 wirelessly via networkinterface 685.

Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in asimilar manner (e.g., entertainment system, computing device, remotecameras, wireless key fob, wall mounted user interface device, cellradio module, battery, alarm siren, door lock, lighting system,thermostat, home appliance monitor, utility equipment monitor, and soon). Conversely, all of the devices shown in FIG. 6 need not be presentto practice the present systems and methods. The devices and subsystemscan be interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 6. Theaspect of some operations of a system such as that shown in FIG. 6 arereadily known in the art and are not discussed in detail in thisapplication. Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as one or more of systemmemory 615 or fixed disk 675. The operating system provided oncontroller 600 may be iOS® ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2® UNIX®,LINUX® or another known operating system.

Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in theart will recognize that a signal can be directly transmitted from afirst block to a second block, or a signal can be modified (e.g.,amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered,or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of theabove described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from oneblock to the next, other embodiments of the present systems and methodsmay include modified signals in place of such directly transmittedsignals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of thesignal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input ata second block can be conceptualized as a second signal derived from afirst signal output from a first block due to physical limitations ofthe circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuationand delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from afirst signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the firstsignal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage throughother circuit elements which do not change the informational and/orfinal functional aspect of the first signal.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

Furthermore, while various embodiments have been described and/orillustrated herein in the context of fully functional computing systems,one or more of these exemplary embodiments may be distributed as aprogram product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular typeof computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution.The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using softwaremodules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may includescript, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. In someembodiments, these software modules may configure a computing system toperform one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the present systems and methods and their practicalapplications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the present systems and methods and various embodiments withvarious modifications as may be suited to the particular usecontemplated.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in thespecification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least oneof.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,”as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with andhave the same meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, the term“based on” as used in the specification and the claims is to beconstrued as meaning “based at least upon.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method to illuminate aroom, comprising: identifying at least one person entering the room;illuminating the room based at least in part on the identifying;maintaining an occupancy count for the room based at least in part onthe illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of oneor more people present in the room; and darkening the room based atleast in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching apre-determined count.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein darkening the room comprises dimming an illumination in theroom.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the room isan at least partially confined room.
 4. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising: partially illuminating the room based atleast in part on a time of day.
 5. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the room is a bedroom and further comprising: observingwhen the at least one person occupies a bed; darkening the bedroom basedat least in part on the observing.
 6. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 5, wherein a load sensor detects the presence of the at least oneperson in the bed occupying the bed.
 7. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein one or more lasers detects directional motion of theat least one person.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7,wherein the one or more lasers are proximate to at least one entry tothe room.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the oneor more lasers are proximate each entry to the room.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: receivinginput to darken the room despite the occupancy count being greater thanthe predetermined count.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: tracking a pattern of room occupancy for the room;predicting when to illuminate the room based at least in part on thetracking, and illuminating the room based at least in part on thepredicting.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, furthercomprising: darkening the room if the at least one person does not enterthe room within a predetermined time frame.
 13. An apparatus toilluminate a room comprising: a processor; a memory in electroniccommunication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory,the instructions being executable by the processor to: identify at leastone person entering the room; illuminate the room based at least in parton the identifying; maintain an occupancy count for the room based atleast in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprisesa number of one or more people present in the room; and darken the roombased at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching apre-determined count.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein darkeningthe room comprises dimming an illumination in the room.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by theprocessor to: partially illuminate the room based at least in part on atime of day.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions areexecutable by the processor to: track a pattern of room occupancy forthe room; predict when to illuminate the room based at least in part onthe tracking, and illuminate the room based at least in part on thepredicting.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storinginstructions executable by a processor to: identify at least one personentering a room; illuminate the room based at least in part on theidentifying; maintain an occupancy count for the room based at least inpart on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a numberof one or more people present in the room; and darken the room based atleast in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching apre-determined count.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17,wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to: partiallyilluminate the room based at least in part on a time of day.
 19. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions areexecutable by the processor to: track a pattern of room occupancy forthe room; predict when to illuminate the room based at least in part onthe tracking, and illuminate the room based at least in part on thepredicting.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein theinstructions are executable by the processor to: darken the room if theat least one person does not enter the room within a predetermined timeframe.